And Justice For All!

“For the LORD loves justice, and does not forsake His saints; They are preserved forever, But the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off” Psalm 37:28 NKJV).

What is “justice”? Apparently, the meaning takes on different perspectives depending upon whose using the word and what they are seeking to change. When justice is used in The Word the reference is for those things that are being judged according to The Word–not man. Man’s use of the word changes as man changes his mind and purpose regarding the word.

For instance, we know that God’s judgment is just because He does not change–He is the same–yesterday, today and forever. Nothing He has said has changed in spite of what people attempt to do to sway others to believe that “God did not mean what He said when He said it.” Sound familiar? Remember in the garden when the serpent told Eve, “surely you will not die if you eat of this tree.” The same spirit–anti-God, evil spirit-is yet operating today and we know it when we hear people say, “sure that is not what God meant.”

The ACLU–may have once had altruistic motives for their existence, but it appears they now operate out of pure rebellion against established policies and laws. In the past–when their motives were pure–they may have been instrumental in affecting positive changes for marginalized groups of people.  However, when they operate in opposition to The Word–I have to question their motives. It would appear that their guiding spirit is from the evil one–the one opposed to everything God has said. They have stuck their elongated noses into everyone’s business and now they want to challenge “curfews for kids” (under the age of 18) which means they are promoting the demise of the family structure and laws established for the safety of children. Since their motives have changed–from doing good to doing whatever they want to do, I now consider them to be the –Against Christ-centered Laws that promote Unity with God’s Word.

Anyone who supports and promotes the agenda of this group must question who it is they are actually serving–God or Satan–and only the truth found deep within will rise to change the landscape of “injustice” perpetrated by those who feign fighting for justice for all. True justice for all promotes doing things God’s way, not man’s.

God’s justice preserves those who love Him, unconditionally. Man’s justice–is conditional and changes with every whim of those who oppose themselves against God. Don’t take my word for it–review the history of mankind and see how often they change their mind and not necessarily in support of Godly Righteousness.

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How “Happy” is Achieved!

“Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding;” (Proverbs 3:13 NKJV)

Many seek happiness in the presence of others, in amassing wealth, or in just doing for others–this happiness is from extrinsic influence.

But intrinsic influence–begins with understanding how to be happy with self–whether others are around or not. And this is the result of operating with wisdom and understanding–inner peace and happiness.

How do we find wisdom? We ask of God who gives it liberally, without question or debasement.

How do we gain understanding? We gain understanding of how to live, by living–making mistakes, correcting them, and not repeating them.

No where in His Word does God say we will not make mistakes. It is not the mistakes we make that trouble Him; it is not learning from them that troubles Him and that–repeating mistakes and never learning from them–is what keeps us from being happy.

When children first learn to walk–they fall–after only taking a few steps, but the child who gets up and keeps trying succeeds and is very happy with their accomplishment (and so are the parents who watch them–sometimes agonizing over the falls, but knowing the child must do it by himself/herself).

When we as adults–having successfully navigated the phases of life–puberty, adolescence, young adulthood, however the phase is termed, make mistakes–most of us recognize them and seek to find means to correct so we won’t have to suffer consequences of that mistake made. From this we learn how to achieve success. We keep trying until we get there.

Living a life in this world–without relationship with God–has consequences–some we won’t like. Living to please God–with a relationship with Him–does not keep us from making mistakes; it helps us to recognize them sooner and keeps us in communication with Him so we can get it right.

When we honestly look at our lives and see that we are not happy, we need to assess our lives and see if we are operating in wisdom and getting understanding about how we live and what we do–that brings us results–we’d rather not have.

With wisdom and understanding, we can sing the popular song with zest, “Because I’m happy” and when we’re happy, those around us cannot help but be infected by our happiness. Wisdom + Understanding = Happiness!

Stumbling and Fault-finding!

“We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry” (2 Corinthians 6:3 NLT).

When we–as promoters of the Gospel–look at what is happening in our society, nationally and internationally, wondering what in the world is going on, do we consider how others view how we live?

Are saying one thing and yet doing another?

Do we show love to everyone we meet or are we selective about how we respond to others?

Do we posture in public and party in private?

What skeletons are hiding in our closets, while we attempt to act as though we have never done anything wrong?

Are we up testifying in churches about God’s goodness or testilying and everyone around us–knows it?

Do we live the life we proclaim God wants us to live or we just sounding brass–making noise–but no harmony exists?

When we stand before God–at the end and now–will we hear how many people we have caused to stumble in their faith when they found fault with our own?

Some people believe that how they live is their business and no one else should matter, but the truth of the matter is–that’s a lie–especially if our lives as promoters of the Gospel are not circumspect.

The way we live–as children of the most High God–should be able to survive microscopic inspection by all at any time. This is why it is important for us to live what we say. We must be “doers of The Word” and not just hearers or preachers only.

The worst kind of person–who proclaims to love God–is the one who preaches one thing on Sunday and yet lives like the devil’s own the rest of the week–and everyone knows it. And because they see this person–not living The Word–they feel no obligation to change anything they do and most refrain from hearing any good thing about the Gospel because of those who preach it, but live contrary to it. These are the stumblingblocks to another’s faith and give them reason to find fault with the Gospel and the ministry of it.

Does this sound like you? I pray not!

Father, in the name of Jesus, help us to do all that we encourage others to do–according to Your Word–that none of us will become a stumblingblock for others or give them reason to find fault with our promotion of the Gospel.

It’s Time!

“There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee” (Joshua 1:5).

It’s time for all of us to wake up and realize that where we are or aren’t in life is entirely our responsibility!

NO MORE BLAME GAMES. OWN WHAT YOU HAVE OR HAVE NOT DONE TO GET WHERE YOU WANT TO BE!

We continue to look back at events in our pasts and point fingers at every negative situation and say, “that’s why I couldn’t do anything with my life.” We lie and Satan is proclaimed our daddy!

Negative stuff happens to everyone at one time or another. What we “choose” to do with the negative reality will determine the positive or negative conclusions in our lives.

Abusive parents–no excuse.

Abusive spouse–no excuse.

Lack of education–no excuse.

Genetic predispositions to illnesses–no excuse.

Laziness–no excuse.

Procrastination–no excuse.

Daddy wasn’t around–no excuse.

Mama wasn’t around–no excuse.

Accidents that were not your fault–no excuse.

Foolish and unwise decisions–get over it and do something wise about it.

Poverty–no excuse.

Born into wealth–no excuse.

There are no excuses for anyone to be sad, despondent, and pitiful unless they just want to be–sad, despondent and pitiful.

Stop looking for excuses to validate and legitimize your failures and find (earnestly seek) reasons to succeed–at something–anything–everything!

Whose life is this anyway? It’s your life and you are the only one who can determine what it is or what it will be by seeking The Lord and getting yourself aligned with His Word.

Get over yourself and your pitiful life and get going with Jesus because with Him, failure is not an option!

Don’t Throw It Away!

“Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward” (Hebrews 10:35 NKJV).

Of course, to understand exactly what Paul is saying (and we can conclude that it is Paul from verse 34) one would have to read the entire preceding verses. Does this have application to us today?

Absolutely! We cannot allow all the trials and tribulations we suffer to deter us or to cancel out our faith and confidence in the One who gives us life!

So what–if a job was lost–take a deep breath, look up and see the favor of The Lord being showered upon you!

So what–if a bad report is given by a doctor about an illness–look up and remember to thank Him for your healing when He was beaten before being raised on the cross.

So what–if a spouse leaves–look up and remember that we are never alone because He promised to always be with us.

So what–if people think our faith in God is foolishness–I’d rather God judge my foolishness in my obedience to Him than be a tool for the enemy to use.

So what–if things don’t always go your way–stop and think about whether your way is also God’s way and if not, turn and adjust–keeping your sight on the path on which He would have you follow.

If we don’t quit when the going gets tough, but persevere until the end of the matter–we will reap the reward for endurance and know the blessings of The Lord!

Don’t allow the enemy to trick you into throwing away your confidence in God–just because stuff doesn’t happen the way you want it to happen or when you want it to happen. Our timetable, is not God’s timetable and we should really seek Him to get on His.

We were warned,” in the world we would have tribulations and persecutions,” but He has overcome the world and we shall triumph and have victory in every situation that comes against us. Hallelujah for our Risen Savior who has given us the victory over sin, doubt, and unbelief–carving our confidence in Him in our hearts with His Word!

Now, get up and shake the dust from your feet (and the doubt from your mind), He is able to do all things and do them well and because we have confidence in Him, so can we!  Move ’em out! In Jesus’ name!

Adversary or Advocate?

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8):

An adversary is a person or group or force that opposes and attacks another.The Adversary is Satan.

An advocate is someone who writes, speaks, supports or pleads or intercedes on behalf on others. Our Advocate is Jesus!

Now, to put this in perspective–any time someone opposes truth or deliberately creates problems for others, they become an adversary. This is true on a spiritual level as well as a natural one.

In a classroom–when students oppose or create the teacher or create problems for the entire classroom–they are adversaries to peace.

In a home–when children oppose parents or create problems they are adversaries to discipline.

In the churches–when opposition arises against the people–regardless of its origin–they become an adversary to order in the congregation.

In communities–when rowdy citizens create disturbances that keep others from enjoying peace and quiet where they live–they are adversaries to rights of others.

In nations–when leadership or the people–oppose policies that are for the greater good for all–they become adversaries to justice and sanity.

Those who fight for the rights of others on almost any front–except the promotion of sin--are the advocates who will find themselves aligned with the Will of God. Those who don’t–are aligned with The Adversary’s plans to destroy mankind.

Now is a good time to think which side you are aligned with–as an advocate or an adversary.

Are you adversary or advocate? You are the only one who can make that determination.

Lord, help us to be advocates for truth according to Your Word and not our opinions or emotions. Help us to advocate for the benefit of others who are overwhelmed with fighting their adversaries alone. Give us wisdom and courage to do all that is right in Your sight, keeping The Adversary in his placed, defeated and under our feet.

 

 

 

Just Because I Didn’t Have!

I know there are a number of people out there in the world who didn’t have their fathers in their lives. But just because I didn’t have my father in my life, doesn’t mean I cannot appreciate those who did have theirs and understand the importance of recognizing them.

I cannot remember my father or my step-father carrying me to bed at night because I fell asleep some place other than my bed. However, I can appreciate and envy somewhat, those who did.

I didn’t have my father around to encourage me or tell me everything was going to be all right when things went wrong.

I didn’t have my father around to encourage good grades in school (my step-father did until he and mother parted), but I got good grades anyway.

I didn’t have my father around to screen (or scare away) the boys I liked or the men I chose to marry, and I really wish I had for some of them.

I didn’t have my father around to give me away when I married, but someone stepped in and saved the day.

I didn’t have my father around when I walked across the stage or received my degrees, but that didn’t stop me from doing so.

I didn’t have my father around for so many special events in my life that if I really wanted to resent him, I could, but I don’t.

I didn’t understand when I was little why my father and mother couldn’t get along, but it doesn’t matter now–I’m grown and have a better idea of why adults have conflicts and some just cannot be resolved.

With all the things I didn’t have with my father, I did have a few special moments when I decided to get to know him on my own. No, my father was not a perfect man, but he was good man and he did provide for his children. Even though he was not there for me for many things, I was there to do his eulogy when he died–my first and hopefully–my last.

Just because I did not have him in my life the way many people do, doesn’t mean I didn’t love him or that he didn’t love me. I simply had to recognize that life is not fair or just when it comes to human frailties; it is what it is and it’s up to us to make the most of life–with or without a father standing behind us or living with us.

I choose to look to the One Father I can always count on and because He is who He is in my life–I don’t have to have regrets or resentments because of what I didn’t have with my biological father.

Happy Father’s Day–to the One who is always our Father and never abandons us!

Happy Father’s Day!

I write to you, fathers,
Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
Because you have overcome the wicked one.
I write to you, little children,
Because you have known the Father. (I John 2:13 NKJV)

 

Know that the God we serve is the same as He was yesterday, and will be until the end.  Look unto Him to know all things in how to be a godly father, doing all things well for your children.

Happy Father’s Day!

 

Copycat!

“The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:9 NKJV).

They say imitation is the highest (or most sincere) form of flattery–here we can see how that might work in the spiritual realm as well as the natural. Paul is saying–be a copycat of me (as I follow Christ–follow me)!

Whatever you learned from me–teach it.

Whatever you received from me–give it.

Whatever you heard from me–say it.

Whatever you saw in me–do it.

What did we learn from Paul? Everything he said in his letters to the church in Rome, Corinth, Philippi, Galatia, Thessalonica, Ephesus,Colosse, to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. Are we teaching what we learned from Paul or have we created a new “religion and philosophy” and to teach–that we did not learn from Paul.

What did we receive from Paul? Did we take what he said to heart or did we pick and choose what we wanted and decided to share that with others?

What did we hear from Paul? Did we hear him tell us to hate and cause divisions in the Body of Christ?

What did we see Paul do (spiritually–since we were not there) or better yet–what did those who were with him see? Did they see him despondent, and depressed, regretful, and morose? Did we see him giving of himself for the glorious Gospel for the sake of souls that could be lost or did he do what he did to build a name for himself? Was he concerned about titles or outdoing others in ministry?

If we are not experiencing the “peace of God” that he promises, perhaps it is because we do not know how to be a copycat.

When we follow instructions as they are laid out before us and demonstrated–we should all get the same results.

I’m learning to be a copycat–and staying in The Word to make sure I’m getting it right. How about you?

He Strikes Again!

“Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices” (2 Corinthians 2:10,11 NKJV).

Whenever we are unwilling to forgive–even the slightest offense, we open the door for Satan to strike again.

Not forgiving others when we need forgiveness is a tool that the enemy uses against us. But that’s not the only thing the enemy uses against us.

Holding grudges (always throwing stuff up to people) is a tool. Let it go.

Insecurity is a tool. Find your security with Jesus–who never fails.

Low self-esteem is a tool. Seek the Father to give you understanding of who you are and what you have in Him.

Depression is a tool. Don’t think on those things for which you have no control. Focus on what the Word says about you and your situation.

Self-loathing is a tool. Why hate yourself when God loves you? You are not responsible for the environment in which you were born or who your parents are. Pick yourself up and look unto Him who is the author and finisher of our faith and know you are loved!

Arrogance is a tool. Being confident is one thing–but arrogance–so full of pride that no one can tell you anything is a problem. The Word tells us that the “fool despises instruction.” You do not know know everything there is to know because there is far too much to know. Accept that!

Faithlessness is a tool. When you are unfaithful to anyone–family, friends, your job and God–certainly you cannot expect anyone to be faithful to you. Commit and dedicate yourself to family, God, and friends and see what happens in your life.

Foolishness is a tool. There are so many scriptures that deal with foolishness and the “fool” that it would take me a minute to discuss them all. But know this, “the fool despises wisdom and has said in his heart-there is no God.” The fear of the Lord (and knowledge of who He is) is the beginning of wisdom. Ask God for all the wisdom you’ll ever need and you’ll never be put into the category of the “foolish!”

What the enemy does and how he does it is not a secret. He cannot catch us unaware–when we know what The Word says about him. So, don’t get caught up in his foolishness, know him when his ugliness rises up and attempts to wreak havoc in your life. We know how he operates, so when he strikes, let’s do something about it–strike back–giving all glory to The Lord!